what I can’t wait for in 2008

The movie year 2007 ain’t over yet — won’t be till the Oscars are handed out — but that don’t mean we can’t look forward to what’s coming in 2008. At the instigation of Nathaniel R. of Film Experience, some of my fellow critics and I have come up with our joint list of the 15 movies we’re most psyched for this year. I’m not gonna tell you what the movies are — you’ll have to cruise on over to Film Experience as Nathaniel reveals these movies, one at a time, two a day, over the next week; we critics will be discussing them as well, and you can join in on the conversation.

Because this is a list assembled by committee, we all have “orphans,” films we’re excited about that no one else is. These are my top orphans… which means these are definitely not among the 15 movies to be revealed:Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Chrystal Skull: Well, duh. It’s Indiana Jones. It’s the ultimate movie experience of my childhood (maybe even greater than Star Wars) come back again.

Genova: It’s from Michael Winterbottom, which is all I need to know — I love his movies something fierce for their otherworldly quality. That it’s a ghost story starring Colin Firth, Catherine Keener, and Hope Davis doesn’t hurt either.

Quantum of Solace: Daniel Craig as James Bond is now like David Tennant as the Doctor, for me — yes, other actors have played the part, but these guys are actually real. Plus, it’s being directed by Marc Forster, who’s been making some really eclectic and fascinating movies.

Star Trek: Another no-brainer, particularly with JJ Abrams at the helm. And this cast is killing me: Simon Pegg as Scotty? Anton Yelchin as Chekov? Bruce Greenwood as Christopher Pike? Karl Urban as Bones? I am in geek heaven just thinking about it.

Pride & Glory: Okay, check this out — Gavin (Tumbleweeds) O’Connor and Joe (Narc) Carnahan tell a story about corruption in the NYPD, and it stars Colin Farrell and Edward Norton as cops and brothers-in-law whose loyalties are tested, etc etc. Unfortunately, this one supposedly has been pushed back to 2009, so I may have to wait longer than I first anticipated.

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I’m kinda ticked about Star Trek and Indy 4… I don’t think either of them is necessary, and I hate the casting in both flicks. I’m passing on both of them. Also passing on the third Mummy movie, since apparently Rachel Weisz thought it wasn’t up to snuff.

QoS will be a must movie for me, as will The Dark Knight, Iron Man, the Wachowski Brothers’ Speed Racer, The Incredible Hulk, Get Smart, WALL-E, Hellboy II, and the X-Files sequel.

MaryAnn Johanson

No one else picked Star Trek??

I guess they’re not geeks. Their loss. :->

Also passing on the third Mummy movie, since apparently Rachel Weisz thought it wasn’t up to snuff.

Maria Bello is foxy, no doubt. But she’s going to be playing Rachel Weisz’ character, Evie. I hate when a movie series replaces an actor for no good reason, or because the original actor took a look at the script and went “Er, no thanks.” (When Gloria Foster, the Oracle, died after the filming of The Matrix Reloaded, they had to come up with a solution. They didn’t just say “Let’s go with another actress.”) Bond movies change Bond actors because they’re a reimagining of the story, not the same story continuing on, so that’s cool.

MaryAnn Johanson

I know all that about Bello. Which is part of why that film was not on my most-psyched-for list. I’m willing to give it a chance, though.

Im with clayj on this one. Some reason I just really dont feel all that excited about the new Indy. I feel it has something to do with the new star wars trilogy sucked Ass and the fact its got that LaBeouf in it.
Who I cant stand the slightest bit , not event a millisecond.
Your all alot excited for some other things I really think look dumb, like speed racer, but basicly its going to be a short worthless summer for me
Ill go with
The Dark Knight, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk,Hellboy II, and the X-Files sequel (is it event done yet?).

I really dont care about Star trek, Im actally fine with them trying to jump start the franchise.
Trekies and Star wars fans are not on the same boat. So this news only is bad for Mj or star trek enthusiast.

MaryAnn looking up at the sky, fists clenched as she does an impersonation of Shatner going “Khaaaaaaaaaaaaan!” from The Wrath of Khan…

Ryan

It’s funny, I really love the casting choices for the Star Trek movie and I think a rebooting of the franchise is a good choice…the one thing that actually terrifies me is that J.J. Abrams is attached to the project. I never saw Felicity so no comment on that, but Alias was basically mindless action (and it was fine at that) and Lost had the greatest premise ever that was never realized, and was eventually taken over by different writers and actually given a plot. Cloverfield and MI:3 were fine, but again, hardly great cinema.

We’re talking about the person who’s last sci-fi credit was WRITING THE MOVIE ARMAGEDDON. Tell me that’s not a little scary.

I’m extremely excited for Quantum of Solace (quite a title) and extremely hopeful about Indiana Jones. The best thing about Indiana Jones, is that even worst case scenario…it just becomes a case of ‘even numbered movies bad, odd numbered movies good.’ Which I could live with.

MaryAnn

MaryAnn looking up at the sky, fists clenched as she does an impersonation of Shatner going “Khaaaaaaaaaaaaan!” from The Wrath of Khan…

That was the idea… :->

Grant

Soooooooo… Any comments on the Indy trailer? It’s just a teaser, so it’s pretty weak. Still, Ford looks good. I mean, he looks old and tired, but not in a geriatric sort of way. Actually, in pretty much exactly the way you’ld expect Indiana to look 15 or 20 years after we saw him last.

Ryan

They need to keep the ‘swinging around on the bullwhip’ stuff to a minimum. The one where he falls back into the truck in the trailer was sort of funny…but I saw a bit too much of it in the trailer.

Indy vs. Cate Blanchett and the Soviet Union…awesome.

The Roswell Aliens stuff was a tad concerning…only because I’m worried Lucas might try to tie Midochlorians(sp?) into the movie some how.